Handheld device for determining golf ball trajectory for putt of chip shot and method therefor

ABSTRACT

A handheld device for determining trajectory of a golf ball from its current position to a hole for a putt or chip shot includes a generally planar base member and a pair of elongated members each having a first end thereof secured to and extending outwardly from a peripheral edge of the base member in a V-shaped arrangement. A concave portion is formed in a bottom of the V-shaped arrangement for operable alignment with the golf ball when the pair of elongated members are positioned in a vertical plane. The user squats or kneels behind the golf ball in line with the hole and positions the device so that the golf ball is aligned with the concave portion and is disposed intermediate the pair of elongated members in order to determine the condition of the green and desired ball trajectory.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority from ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 60/855,349 filed Oct. 30, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to golf assist devices and,more particularly, this invention relates to a handheld device fordetermining trajectory of a golf ball from its current position to thehole for a putt or chip shot and to a method for using aforementioneddevice.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is generally well known, golf course greens are rarely flat and eventhus necessitating the golfer to determine optimum trajectory of a golfball from its current position to the hole for a putt or chip shot.Commonly, the golfer will squat or kneel behind the ball and look in adirection of the hole to determine the direction of the green slope aswell as to determine uneven areas on the green that are to be avoidedwhen making the shot. However, visualizing the proper trajectory betweenthe current position of the golf ball and the hole is challenging forboth novice and experienced golfers.

Prior to the present invention, efforts have been made to assist golferin establishing a correct line of putting motion of a golf club upon agolf ball. U.S. Pat. No. 6,997,817 issued to Consiglio discloses aground engaging device of an elongated structure which includes a firstguide wall and a second spaced apart and substantially parallelextending guide wall, the first and second guide walls being securedtogether proximate at least one of first and second ends. A golf ballplacement position is located between the guide walls at an intermediatelocation between its ends. First and second adjustment mechanisms areassociated with at least one of the first and second guide walls. Theputter head swing clearance adjustment mechanisms include inwardlyprojecting portions relative to the guide walls and in order to adjust awidth and height (swing window) within the structure proximate the ballplacement position, the mechanisms permitting unimpeded travel of thegolf club head during a putting stroke. While, the goal of such deviceis to improve, through repetition, the ability of a user to strike agolf ball in a desired direction and/or fashion and over a specifieddistance, it fails to help the user in determining optimum trajectory ofthe golf ball from its current position to the hole for a putt or chipshot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment, the invention provides a handheld devicefor determining trajectory of a golf ball from its current position to ahole for a putt or chip shot. The device includes a generally planarbase member having a predetermined shape. There is a pair of elongatedmembers with each elongated member having a first end thereof secured toand extending outwardly from a peripheral edge of the base member in aV-shaped arrangement. A concave portion is formed in a bottom of theV-shaped arrangement for operable alignment with the golf ball when thepair of elongated members are positioned in a vertical plane.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided amethod of determining trajectory of a golf ball from its currentposition to a hole for a putt or chip shot. The method includes the stepof using a handheld device including a base member, a pair of elongatedmembers each having one end thereof secured to and extending outwardlyfrom the base member in a V-shaped arrangement and a concave portionformed in a bottom of the V-shaped arrangement. Then, having the user ofthe device to squat or kneel at a first predetermined distance behindthe golf ball and in alignment with the hole. Next, positioning the pairof elongated members in a vertical plane. Positioning a dominant eye ofthe user at a second predetermined distance from the device. Next,aligning the concave portion with the golf ball. Using a space formedinternal to the pair of elongated members for determining condition of agreen. Finally, using the green condition to select the golf balltrajectory.

According to yet one embodiment, the invention provides a golf ballmarker for use with a device for determining trajectory of a golf ballfrom its current position to a hole for a putt or chip shot. The golfball marker being formed from a round generally thin metallic materialwhich is capable of being magnetically and releaseably attached to amagnet member disposed within the device.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention toprovide a handheld device for determining trajectory of a golf ball fromits current position to the hole for a putt or chip shot.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a handheld devicefor determining trajectory of a golf ball from its current position tothe hole for a putt or chip shot which is economical to manufacture.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a handhelddevice for determining trajectory of a golf ball from its currentposition to the hole for a putt or chip shot which can be employed forreleaseably securing ball marker.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a handhelddevice for determining trajectory of a golf ball from its currentposition to the hole for a putt or chip shot which can be releaseablyattached to an article of clothing or headwear.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a handhelddevice for determining trajectory of a golf ball from its currentposition to the hole for a putt or chip shot which can be employed forrepairing divots formed during putting.

Additional object of the present invention is to provide a method forgolfing with an aforementioned device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball markerfor use with a handheld device for determining trajectory of a golf ballfrom its current position to the hole for a putt or chip shot

In addition to the several objects and advantages of the presentinvention which have been described with some degree of specificityabove, various other objects and advantages of the invention will becomemore readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevantart, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction withthe attached drawing Figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device of the present invention fordetermining trajectory of a golf ball from its current position to thehole for a putt or chip shot;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1, particularlyillustrating a clip for attaching the device to an article of headwearor clothing;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the device of FIG. 1,particularly illustrating a golf ball marker;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of using the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the position of the device of FIG. 1during use; and

FIG. 6 is a partial elevation view of the device of FIG. 1 positionedfor determining golf ball trajectory, particularly illustratingalignment of the golf ball and slopped condition of the green.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the presentinvention, it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity andunderstanding, identical components which have identical functions havebeen identified with identical reference numerals throughout the severalviews illustrated in the drawing figures.

For the convenience of the reader, the following common terms and theirdefinitions are employed in this document to describe the structure anduse of the present invention.

Hole—4.25 inch diameter hole in the ground into which the ball is to beplayed.

Green—the area of short grass surrounding the hole where the ball is hitusing a putter.

Putt shot—a shot (generally, but not necessarily hit with a putter) thatis intended to make the ball roll (usually, but not exclusively, on orjust off the putting green)

Chip shot—a shot that is designed to roll (run) farther than it flies(usually, but not always, from near the green).

Reference is now made, to FIGS. 1-3, wherein there is shown a device,generally designated as 10, for determining trajectory of a golf ball 4from its current position to the hole 6 for a putt or chip shot. Thedevice 10 includes a generally planar base member 12 having apredetermined shape which according to the presently preferredembodiment of the invention includes a round disk 14 having each of apredetermined diameter of about 0.75 inches and a predeterminedthickness of about 0.125 inches. The peripheral edge 16 of the rounddisk 14 may be rounded or may include one and, preferably, a pair ofchamfers 18.

The device 10 further includes a pair of elongated members 20 eachhaving a first end 22 thereof being secured to and extending outwardlyfrom the peripheral edge 16 of the base member 12 in a V-shapedarrangement. Preferably, each elongated member 20 is formed integralwith the base member 12. In accordance with the presently preferredembodiment of the invention, each elongated member 20 is about 1.0 inchlong. Furthermore, first ends 22 of such pair of elongated members 20are spaced apart at about 0.25 inches and their opposed second ends 24are spaced apart at about 0.75 inches. The chamfer 18 of the base member12 may be further extended to each elongated member 20 and continued asa chamfer 26. It is further presently preferred for each second end 24to be tapered to a generally sharp point 28 for aiding in repairingdivots formed during putting.

The device 10 additionally includes a concave portion 30 which is formedin a bottom of the V-shaped arrangement and joining the first ends 22for operable alignment with the golf ball 4 when the pair of elongatedmembers 20 are positioned in a vertical plane.

The device 10 may be manufactured from one of metal, engineered plastic,wood, fiber and various combinations thereof.

Now in reference to FIGS. 4-6, to use the device 10, the user 1 squatsor kneels at a first predetermined distance 60 behind the golf ball 4and in alignment with the hole 6. It has been determined that such firstpredetermined distance 60 being between about 10 feet and about 15 feetis advantageous for using the device 10 which is constructed to theabove described embodiments of the invention. It has been furtherdetermined that the use of the device 10 is most advantageous when thecurrent position of the ball 4 is greater than 20 feet from the hole 6.Then, the user 1 positions the pair of elongated members 20 in avertical plane. Next, the user 1 positions a dominant eye at betweenabout 1 inch and about 3 inches above the device 10 and aligns theconcave portion 30 with the periphery of the golf ball 4 thuspositioning such golf ball 4 internal to the pair of elongated members20. The user 1 than uses a space 32 formed internal to the pair ofelongated members 20 to determine the condition of a green 2 which isshown, for example only, in FIG. 6 as slopping from left to right by aline 2 a. After determining the direction of the slope 2 a, the user 1selects the trajectory 7 of the golf ball 4 which based on the exampleof FIG. 6 would include putting the golf ball to the left of thestraight line 8 in order to take advantage of the slope 2 a thusdirecting the golf ball 4 toward the hole 6.

In further reference to FIGS. 1-3, the present invention contemplatesfor the device 10 to include a magnetic means, such as a well knownmagnet 40, which is disposed on and secured to the base member 12 forreleaseably attaching a golf ball marker 9 thereto. The magnet 40 ispreferably formed integral with the first surface 42 of the base member12, for example by a friction fit with a cavity 41 thereof, wherein theouter surface of the magnet 40 is generally flush with the first surface42 of the base member 12. It will be appreciated that the device 10 canthen be advantageously used for conveniently carrying such golf ballmarker 9. Preferably, the first surface 42 includes a plurality ofraised projections 44 to facilitate gripping of the device 10.Alternatively, a plurality of depressions 45 which are constructedsimilar to depressions presently found on the golf ball 4, may beprovided for facilitate gripping of the device 10. Yet alternatively,such plurality of raised projections 44 or depressions 45 may be formedon the outer surface of the golf ball marker 9. It will be understoodthat the present invention additionally contemplates the use of a novelgolf ball marker 9 being formed from a round generally thin metallicmaterial which is capable of being magnetically and releaseably attachedto the magnet 40 disposed within the base member 12 of the device 10 andwhich employs the plurality of raised projections 44 or depressions 45to facilitate gripping of the golf ball marker 9 during use.

Alternatively to or in combination with the magnet 40, it is within thescope of the present invention for the device 10 to include a clip means50 being disposed on and secured to an opposed second surface 46 of thebase member 12 for releaseably securing the device 10 to an article ofheadwear 52 such as a hat or a visor or to an article of clothing.

Thus, the present invention has been described in such full, clear,concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art towhich it pertains to make and use the same. It will be understood thatvariations, modifications, equivalents and substitutions for componentsof the specifically described embodiments of the invention may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

1. A handheld device for determining trajectory of a golf ball from itscurrent position to a hole for a putt or chip shot, said devicecomprising: (a) a generally planar base member having a predeterminedshape; (b) a pair of elongated members each having a first end thereofsecured to and extending outwardly from a peripheral edge of said basemember in a V-shaped arrangement; and (c) a concave portion formed in abottom of said V-shaped arrangement for operable alignment with the golfball when said pair of elongated members are positioned in a verticalplane.
 2. The device, according to claim 1, wherein said predeterminedshape of said base member includes a round disk having each of apredetermined diameter and a predetermined thickness.
 3. The device,according to claim 2, wherein said predetermined diameter is about 0.75inches.
 4. The device, according to claim 2, wherein said predeterminedthickness is about 0.125 inches.
 5. The device, according to claim 2,wherein said peripheral edge of said base member includes at least onechamfer.
 6. The device, according to claim 1, wherein said eachelongated member is formed integral with said base member.
 7. Thedevice, according to claim 1, wherein said first ends of said pair ofelongated members are spaced apart at about 0.25 inches.
 8. The device,according to claim 1, wherein opposed second ends of said pair ofelongated members are spaced apart at about 0.75 inches.
 9. The device,according to claim 1, wherein opposed second end of said each elongatedmember is tapered to a generally sharp point for aiding in repairingdivots formed during putting.
 10. The device, according to claim 1,wherein said device includes a magnetic means disposed on and secured tosaid base member for releaseably attaching a golf ball marker thereto.11. The device, according to claim 10, wherein an outer surface of saidmagnetic means is generally flush with a surface of said base member.12. The device, according to claim 11, wherein said device furtherincludes a grip means formed on said surface for facilitating handlingof said device during use.
 13. The device, according to claim 12,wherein said grip means includes a plurality of projections ordepressions.
 14. The device, according to claim 10, wherein said devicefurther includes a golf ball marker releaseably attached to said basemember.
 15. The device, according to claim 10, wherein said golf ballmarker includes a grip means formed on one surface thereof forfacilitating gripping of said ball marker and further for facilitatinggripping of said device having said golf ball marker being attachedthereto.
 16. The device, according to claim 1, wherein said deviceincludes a clip means disposed on and secured to said base member forreleaseably securing said device to an article of headwear or clothing.17. The device, according to claim 1, wherein said device includes amagnetic means disposed on and secured to one surface of said basemember for releaseably attaching a golf ball marker thereto and a clipmeans disposed on and secured to an opposed surface of said base memberfor releaseably securing said device to an article of headwear orclothing.
 18. The device, according to claim 1, wherein said device ismanufactured from one of metal, engineered plastic, wood and variouscombinations thereof.
 19. A method of determining trajectory of a golfball from its current position to a hole for a putt or chip shot, saidmethod comprising the steps of: (a) using a handheld device including abase member, a pair of elongated members each having one end thereofsecured to and extending outwardly from said base member in a V-shapedarrangement and a concave portion formed in a bottom of said V-shapedarrangement; (b) squatting or kneeling, by the user of said device, at afirst predetermined distance behind said golf ball and in alignment withsaid hole; (c) positioning said pair of elongated members in a verticalplane; (d) positioning a dominant eye of said user at a secondpredetermined distance from said device; (e) aligning said concaveportion with said golf ball; (f) using a space formed internal to saidpair of elongated members for determining condition of a green; and (g)using said green condition to select said golf ball trajectory.
 20. Agolf ball marker for use with a device for determining trajectory of agolf ball from its current position to a hole for a putt or chip shot,said golf ball marker being formed from a round generally thin metallicmaterial which is capable of being magnetically and releaseably attachedto a magnet member disposed within said device, said golf ball markerhaving a grip means formed on one surface thereof for facilitatinghandling of said ball marker and further for facilitating handling ofsaid device having said golf ball marker being attached thereto.